Discovering Treasure Read online

  With a busy day ahead of her, she dragging herself from the soft comfort then wandered into the kitchen to light the wood-fueled stove. It slipped her mind about this needing to be done every morning. She was thankful for find kindling in a large baker’s basket, ready for use. Waiting until the fire caught, she filled the kettle placing it to boil and set cups on the table for herself and Ella. Then she raced back to make her bed and dress in the garments from yesterday. Since they might have to wash their own clothes, they better make the best use of them. After years of pampering, it could be a rude shock for either girl to have to do their own laundry.

  “Treasure, where are you,” Ella called through from the kitchen.

  So she was up, good! Peeking around the door corner Treasure shouted a “Boo!” then laughed as Ella jumped. “So—, how was your night?”

  “I had the best and calmest sleep I’ve had in a long time,” Ella smiled. “And you?”

  “Great,” Treasure answered, “so as soon as we eat, we better get a move on, there’s a lot to do today.” Plonking onto a chair she let Ella pour their tea. It looked and smelt fantastic. “Now for starters, Ella, can I leave you in charge of doing everything necessary for our boy outback?” Watching her friend and receiving a nod of approval, Treasure carried on, writing down each job and who was to complete it, as she spoke.

  “Okay then, that’s good, so I’ll walk to the shops and see what I can get for him to eat. I was given expert advice that cooking oil in the rinse water gets rid of fleas and helps itchy skin, so I’ll buy that also.” She placed a large slice of bread on a plate in front of both of them with butter and jam beside it. This would be good enough for their breakfast until they got better at the using the stove for meals, later in the day. Spreading her bread, Treasure’s mind raced with all the chores ahead of them.

  “I think after his bath it would be a good idea to shake those bags out Ella and keep turning them on the clothes line in the sun, hopefully that should kill any remaining vermin.” Gosh, what am I doing, as if we haven’t enough to keep busy and now we also have to look out for a flea bitten dog, well, it better learn to earn its keep and be a watch dog!

  Her face must have shown what she was thinking because Ella gave her a startled look. Treasure had the grace to flush with guilt, but added with gentle care. “Also Ella, please take care if you talk on the telephone, because I believe it’s a party line. That means the whole valley will enjoy getting to learn our business.”

  5

  A well kept secret.

  True to his word Connor Latham arrived punctually at four o’clock. He had seen a few black-and- white plus sepia photos of Treasure but wasn’t prepared for the stunning redhead who opened the door to his knock.

  “Hello Mr. Latham.” With a puzzled expression she held out her hand to shake his firmly. “I was under the impression I was dealing with Granny’s lawyer who has served her for years.” She waited for an explanation.

  “Same occupation and business, different name,” he answered her politely.

  “Ella,” Treasure called out, “The lawyer is here –, we’ll be in the study.” Following this, she led the way, walking straight into that room to sit professionally behind her grandmother’s desk. She was staggered by her own physical attraction to this man. After meeting and being pandered to by some of the handsomest and charismatic men in the world, this was the first time she had actually felt any inner commotion by a man’s appearance and voice. Her heart hammered as she waited for him to inform her of the will contents that apparently were of specific importance. Wasn’t it a simple matter of her grandmother leaving her estate to her aunt and then her aunt leaving that particular estate to her? What could be difficult in that?

  “Miss Gilroy,” he began after holding eye contact for a puzzling time. “Firstly, people in this area know very little about you, aside from the fact that you are Lady Seymour’s granddaughter. Your grandparents retained a position in this town; they were held in high esteem yet were never restrictive towards anyone. Just the fact that your grandfather came from generations of landowners around here was enough. But then your grandmother did significantly well through her nursing experience to improve health conditions even teaching the women of the area. All in all, this gave them exceptionally good standing.”

  Treasure sat with her hands clasped together in her lap, wondering where this was going. He was extremely serious, which led her to believe she was to learn something unpleasant and perhaps even distressing.

  “I have the difficult job of informing you of certain personal matters and I am sorry that I, a perfect stranger am the one to do this.” He bent down to open a case and withdrew something that looked like a letter. Leaning back in his seat, he regarded her with sadness etched on his face. “I want you to know that what I am about to tell you, has been held in the strictest of confidence, and will continue to be.”

  Treasure just nodded without speaking. She didn’t wish to break his train of thought.

  “Miss Gilroy, this is a small town and your grandparents had a position to uphold. It was because of this that what happened to your mother –, your real mother –, was always kept from you. There is no easy way to say this. The couple you considered to be your parents were in fact your maternal aunt and uncle. And your Aunt Primrose was actually your natural mother.”

  Treasure sat stunned and stared at him! She felt like someone had slammed a door in her face! Numbness gripped her features. This information completely rocked her world. “But –, why was this kept from me? It explains so much!” She rested her elbows on the table to support her head in her hands. With eyes downcast her tears silently tumbled, sliding down her cheeks, they dripped in a pool on top of the desk. Her flat raw feelings left no room for embarrassment.

  The lawyer fumbled around in his pocket, producing a clean handkerchief with awkward calm, and pressed it into her hand.

  “I’m so sorry to be the one who dropped this bomb!” His tone portrayed compassion. “Believe me, I kept telling your grandmother, that either she or Primrose, were the ones to tell you!”

  Treasure couldn’t speak. She didn’t want to speak; she just wanted to be alone with her thoughts and try to make some sort of sense out of all this. Life was so unfair – and then a new thought came. Who then was her father? What a mess! Wiping her eyes and blowing her nose she cast those watery green eyes at him waiting for whatever else he had to say.

  “Look,” he began. “I think you have heard enough for one day. I have a letter here written by your real mother, Primrose to you; perhaps it will clarify and make sense of everything.” He handed her an envelope with her name on the front in her aunt’s—er, mother’s handwriting.

  Not knowing what else to do, he placed the rest of the papers back into his case and clicked it shut. Standing, he stood gazing, first at her for a moment and then around the room ending with his eyes on a portrait of her grandparents and two daughters. “Not that it’s much comfort at a time like this, but many families have their secrets. I am sure what your mother did was with the very best intentions.”

  Treasure pushed herself up from her chair using its arms as if to strengthen hers. Without a word and holding the letter clutched to her bosom, she walked with him to the front door and opened it. Halting in close proximity, he now used his free arm and placing it around her waist, unexpectedly drawing her up against his chest. Just as quickly releasing her, he stepped back onto the verandah as he said softly.

  “You’re too beautiful to mar your face with tears. Smile and be happy for all the gifts God has given you. Look forward to the joys coming into your life. That’s why God placed your eyes on the front of your head, to look forward and not back. I’ll return and see you next week after my trip to Melbourne. In the meantime, read that letter and pray for God to give you understanding, forgiveness and love.” With that he turned politely and walked away.

  She watched his straight-backed casual saunter on the dusty road. His black hair, l
onger than a man’s usual length, curled on the top of his collar. He left an impression on her heart of pure goodness. Why was that? She had no idea. And he was right; it was no use crying over spilt milk. What was done, was done. Now she needed to tell Ella about this and read the letter aloud between the two of them. No more family secrets. Since Ella was now her family, this should be shared with her.

  “Ella, where are you.” Receiving no answer and closing the front door behind her, she ran through the house to the back, supposing Ella was with the dog. Treasure was right. “There you are, I need us to sit down and talk.”

  Ella looked up from chatting to the pet. She had him clean, his hair was cut and now she was busy brushing his coat. The dog looked almost happy; he lifted his head at Treasure’s voice and wagged his fluffy tail. “Why, don’t you look pretty?” Fondling his ears and patting his head made her feelserene. This poor dog, he suffered alone and almost starved to death, now he accepted his new home with trust. Shouldn’t she be accepting of her blessing? Of course! Why make life complicated!

  Ella looked so relaxed. “Guess what, Treasure? He! is a she!” She smiled. “And, if you agree, I think I know a good name for her. What would you think about naming her Paris? She looks so sweet, and I think she deserves a pretty name. Once she gets some meat and muscle on her bones, she will be the most beautiful dog in the whole town.”

  Treasure was dumbfounded! A female dog, why that meant puppies galore, and what would they do then? What was that about complications?

  “Ella.” Treasure attempted to stop her voice from sounding vexed! She failed—. “You will need to do more than make her pretty, you will need to see a vet and find out how to stop her having puppies all the time. We can’t keep lots of dogs here, one is enough!” As usual Treasure was the logical one, but there had to be a solution and it would be Ella’s responsibility to find one.

  “Please come inside for now, and since Paris is all cleaned up and hopefully flea free, she can come with you.” With that Treasure walked back into the house and made her way to the sitting room while opening her letter as she went. She wanted to get this over with and listen to Ella’s opinion. Sitting on the settee, she unfolded the pages and stared at her aunts, – mother’s letter to her! Watching as Ella seated herself, she began to read aloud.

  “My dearest darling, how I love you, you will never know how very much. Many times I wanted to tell you this and yet, the moment never seemed right. Firstly I had to fight for you to be born and then I have been fighting for you to have a happy life since. You once asked me, not so long ago how you would know when you fell in love? Well, you will know believe me. It’s like you get struck by thunder, and that person will mean more to you than anyone else in the whole world. He may not be handsome, tall, rich, educated or the same nationality. It’s got nothing to do with that, it’s got to do with an inner connection that some call a soul. It’s very deep. That’s how I felt about your father, I loved him more than I can tell you, and I believe he loved me also.

  Our problem was, surrendering to that love without a pledge, and a promise until death do we part. He was working for the government surveying land in Glen Arbor. I was a young impressionable girl and didn’t consider that he may leave one day. All I thought about was the now. He tried to tell me he couldn’t stay but I wouldn’t listen. He was on a contract and needed to leave and return to England when it was over. There was no way my father would let me leave and go far away over the ocean. So when his time was up, he left. He wrote for a time and then stopped.

  By then I knew I was expecting you but didn’t tell him. I wanted him to return because he loved me, and perhaps he thought about it, but it was a long trip and I don’t think he wanted to make his home in Australia. I kept my pregnancy to myself as long as I was able. My mother being a nurse considered I should have an abortion when she found out, but I could not do that, I wanted his baby more than anything. I always thought that one day we would travel to England and find him, and we did travel there, but, I only half found him.

  If he was happy to meet you then maybe, just maybe, life could have been different. By the time I did find him, there were other problems. My life with you was the best gift in the world, you made up for everything. The strongest part of your father you inherited, were his green eyes. And every time I looked into them I saw him. Why did my sister and her husband adopt you? She was younger than me by a year, and she was married. It seemed the best solution as far as society goes, to pass you off as my sister’s child. She had her appendix out at fourteen and it ruined her insides so she could never have children. Your uncle Marcus showed no interest in children that I could see? In fact I don’t think he was normal because a marriage of convenience was all he seemed to want, or so I thought at the time. I did learn differently from him later. But to you and Ella, I became a star. Thank you both for that.

  So that is my story. I know I am dying so your grandmother’s home will go on to be yours. I hope Ella is there with you as she is a special girl. This is not the end of the story. I want you to live three months in the valley and then my lawyer will give you a clue about your father. I believe you will be surprised. But you and Ella both need a good rest as you have both worked very hard, and the valley will recharge you both. I do truly love the pair of you.

  Your Mother – Primrose xx”

  “That’s strange.” Ella took the letter and studied the signature. “Why did your aunt – or mother as we now know her to be, sign herself as mother, almost to the both of us? Do you suppose she saw herself as my mother also?” Treasure reached out and took the letter back, and studied what Ella referred to.

  “Yes! I see what you mean, that is strange indeed – but like you said, perhaps she saw you as a daughter as well; I know I have always looked upon you as a little sister. And she always looked out for your welfare as well as mine. She was a truly wonderful person and I believe I am very glad she was my mother, I just wish she could have shared that with me when she was alive.”

  “Life isn’t always how we would like it to be is it? I mean, perhaps she also had her husband to consider. Even though they may not have had a normal marriage, he was also a convenience for her wasn’t he. It seems he supported her money wise and perhaps he paid for her to take you to France and travel to England. We will never know. He may have also known you were really her child!”

  Treasure put her hand to her mouth. She had not thought that far ahead, but perhaps he did. She now felt she owed him an explanation for departing and not being at the house after the funeral.

  “I can’t phone him, but soon I will write him a long letter and explain that it was too much for us to be there for the wake. I will tell him we are here and invite him to come and visit whenever he would like. I am sure he would appreciate me having some manners. I will also thank him for his goodness to myself and my mother over the years.” She pondered this some more then added. “Before I put that last bit, I will ask him if he knew about my beginnings and what I meant to aunty, and then I’ll see what his answer is.” Treasure folded the letter and replaced it inside the envelope. There was more she wanted to speak to Ella about, but first she needed to light the lamps and decide what dinner was to be.

  *****

  Ella took care of clearing up and washing the dishes. It had been a quick meal of fried liver and vegetables, with some lovely apple cobbler purchased from the baker’s shop. Paris devoured the leftovers, even the veggies. She would be given porridge in the morning for breakfast the same as her owners. It was good to see her lying contented on a floor rug between them.

  Treasure still thought of her as him, having purchased a new collar with a length of rope. Ella promised to take Paris for a walk to the produce store the following day to talk to the vet. They had learned a Mr. Wallace—; new in town, had a small room for an office at the back of the store. He was preparing to build a house, with two rooms on the front as a veterinary clinic. Treasure met his young wife and little son Jason when s
he purchased the collar and found them to be very pleasant.

  Pleased to find other new residence’s to the town, Treasure spent a half an hour listening to Mrs. Wallace’s excitement about having her house built. In the meantime the family lived at the hotel. The following day was Wednesday, so Treasure thought it might be nice to invite Mrs. Wallace and her son over, the week after. By that time they’d be settled in and have time for company.

  6

  Meeting the town folk

  The next morning, while Ella took Paris for her vet visit, after –Treasure had versed her not to disclose much about their previous life. Treasure herself went to talk to the man who owned the hardware store. She soon learned he was a country man named Jeb, who didn’t like to be called Mr. James. His long moustache intrigued Treasure; and she wondered what he did with it while eating soup. Besides that, he was a barrel of information. He knew a handyman by the name of Kelvin Thompson who could repair their side fence, and build a swing at the side of the house where two tall trees stood. They were far enough over not to fall on the house in event of a storm he informed. He also asked whether she would be interested in hiring a widow, Mrs. Ryan, a lady in need of a job and place to live.

  This sounded a wonderful solution to Treasure. Since her house consisted of five bedrooms, if the lady proved suitable, then she could occupy the room with its own sitting area towards the back, allowing privacy all around. Apparently, this Mrs Ryan once worked for another family who recently moved away, leaving her to live in the hotel. Understanding this might be an urgent situation, so Treasure informed Jeb to send the lady over at eleven thirty that day.

  She scarcely arrived back home when a knock sounded on the door, and Kelvin Thompson, the handyman to fix the fence, stood on the threshold. Treasure liked him immediately. He seemed a special type of person, who continually laughed a lot which was enjoyable. However, she decided that even though she would employ him, his wages would be collected from her lawyer. Telling him this she noted his casual reaction and knew her judge of character was just – he was an honorable person. Kelvin agreed to make and take care of a vegetable garden, as well as keep the yard tidy on a weekly basis. As they walked the grounds, Treasure showed him where she’d like a swing and some of the fence’s repaired. “We have a dog you know and I don’t want any other dogs wandering in or trying to fight with her.”